Chapter 258: Return Journey, Back to the Farm!

Hearing this, Meng Lei Gu's mood quickly turned dejected.

Could it really never return home?

Meng Lei Gu's human-like emotions made Professor Sada feel a pang in his heart; he and Professor Turo had been fascinated by these creatures since their student days, and even after becoming doctors, they devoted themselves to the Area Zero project with the sole aim of one day creating a paradise where they could coexist harmoniously with these Paradox Pokémon.

If his deduction was correct, they had reached a point in the past within mere seconds back then; to send Meng Lei Gu back to its era, they would indeed need to explore that unknown Great Crater of Area Zero and attempt to research a "time machine."

The exchange between the two concluded with Professor Sada temporarily having no way to send Meng Lei Gu home.

Next, Professor Turo emerged from Observation Post No. 4 with Mollie, followed by Brother Brother Qingmu and Bellossom, both of whom looked much more energetic, their dark circles significantly faded.

Professor Turo's complexion was ruddy; it seemed she had already communicated with Arven and resolved his unease.

As soon as she left the observation post, Professor Turo rushed eagerly to Meng Lei Gu's side, gazing excitedly at its massive form; for her, who loved ancient Pokémon, Meng Lei Gu was no less significant than a Diancie passing before a rock enthusiast.

Both were so excited they were nearly on the verge of fainting.

Under Professor Sada's helpless expression, Professor Turo grasped Luo Mu's hands and said earnestly, "Just half a day... just half a day is enough; please let me observe both Meng Lei Gu and Roaring Moon!"

"Stay at Observation Post No. 4 this afternoon, and set off first thing tomorrow morning!"

Luo Mu, who had originally planned to let Meng Lei Gu stay with the two professors until they developed a time machine to send it away, was somewhat speechless.

Why were both of you so convinced that I would take Meng Lei Gu with me?

In the end, Luo Mu and Brother Brother Qingmu, who wanted to seize this opportunity to legitimately slack off, stayed at Observation Post No. 4 for half a day; after getting ample rest at night, they prepared to leave Area Zero at dawn.

Luo Mu also asked Meng Lei Gu for its opinion, inquiring whether it wanted to stay here and wait for the two professors to find a way for it to return home.

After all, the environment of the Paldea region outside was completely different from that of Area Zero, and Meng Lei Gu might not be able to adapt to the outside world at all.

Terrified by Professor Turo's nearly obsessive, fanatic gaze, Meng Lei Gu had absolutely no desire to stay here; who knew what terrible things she might do to it if it remained any longer.

Meng Lei Gu would rather follow Luo Mu to his so-called farm to live a low-key, trouble-free life while waiting for the two professors to devise a method for its return.

Even if the environment might cause some slight discomfort, it was better than losing its innocence.

Meng Lei Gu had heard crystal clear that the woman was already pondering whether it could breed with a Ditto.

Furthermore, although it did not show it now, as a Dragon-type Pokémon, Meng Lei Gu possessed no lack of pride whatsoever; it would only acknowledge the person and Pokémon who had defeated it.

When bidding farewell to Professors Turo and Sada, Luo Mu politely declined their invitation to explore the Great Crater of Area Zero together; for him, occasionally adding a touch of adventure to regulate his mundane life was sufficient.

There were still many Pokémon at the farm waiting for his return.

Luo Mu exchanged a glance with Brother Brother Qingmu; the two simultaneously released their Dragonite and Tropius, confirmed that all their carried Pokémon were present, and then flew upward toward the upper levels under the watchful eyes of Turo, Sada, and Mollie.

During the day, Pokémon like Roaring Moon rarely appeared, as they seemed to prefer hunting at night; taking advantage of this opportunity, they could fly straight back to the Zero Gate in one go.

Just as they were nearly flying into the upper region, Brother Brother Qingmu, whose spirits had lifted considerably, suddenly asked, "Do you plan to take that Roaring Moon back with you?"

Luo Mu shook his head, his gaze falling on a distant valley: "It is simply too wild to tame; even forcing it into submission through violence would only be temporary, and I cannot take such a ticking time bomb back with me."

"Let's release it in that valley."

"Alright."

Brother Brother Qingmu nodded slightly; this could indeed be considered a wise judgment.

Intelligence comparable to modern Pokémon, like that of Meng Lei Gu, was exceedingly rare.

Most of the monstrous Paradox Pokémon in Area Zero were ultimately just beasts that acted solely on instinct, or cold, heartless machines.

Wanting such creatures to coexist harmoniously with humans and Pokémon—one had to wonder whether Professors Turo and Sada's ideals were naive... or simply unrealistic?

The process of leaving Area Zero went much more smoothly; after releasing Roaring Moon, Luo Mu and Brother Brother Qingmu returned directly to the Zero Gate, where, amidst the warm inquiries of the gathered League staff, they held a call with Geeta, who could not come in person.

Geeta expressed surprise that Luo Mu had temporarily captured a Paradox Pokémon possessing intelligence; fortunately, Professor Sada had already submitted a behavioral observation report regarding this Meng Lei Gu, preventing Luo Mu from being blocked at the Zero Gate.

After all, Geeta could not allow dangerous factors to exist within the Paldea region.

With Geeta overriding all objections and Luo Mu vouching with his status as a Champion-level Trainer, the other high-ranking League officials finally approved the first-ever qualification for keeping a Paradox Pokémon.

By the time all these messy formalities were settled, it was already approaching dusk.

After sharing a simple meal with his comrade-in-arms, Brother Brother Qingmu, at the Treasure Eatery, Luo Mu mounted his Dragonite and journeyed toward Cortondo under a starry sky.

Watching the myriad lights and scenery below constantly recede, Luo Mu and Dragonite, whose hearts yearned for home, finally saw the silhouette of Cortondo, and... the farm standing quietly in the outskirts of this land.

As Dragonite descended, the Pokémon rushing over upon hearing the sound let out excited cries; there is a saying that one day apart feels like three autumns, and since Luo Mu had been away for five days, the Pokémon had been waiting so anxiously they were nearly turning into waiting stones.

"I'm back... Ah!"

Before Luo Mu could finish speaking, Feng Su Gou, designated as the farm's official comic relief and unchanged in its husky nature even after evolution, charged ahead first, using its massive body to perform a "Taishan" press, pinning Luo Mu down while its long tongue swept across his face, splattering saliva everywhere.

Its dignified and handsome appearance was merely a disguise.

The Bai Pengpengs, Shuang Nai Xians, Greedents, Naclinks, and other lively Pokémon also swarmed over, completely engulfing Luo Mu.

Although Luxray and Cangyan Cangyan Rengui, strolling over, appeared reserved, the excited glints flashing in their eyes made it easy to see that they too were happy about Luo Mu's return.

"Yare yare~"

Oranguru, approaching leisurely as if an old man taking a walk, looked at Luo Mu, who was nearly suffocating under the weight of affectionate presses; helplessly shaking its head, it waved its fan, using powerful psychic power to lift all the Pokémon pressing down on Luo Mu.

(End of Chapter)